The Run-Off Zone

A lot of people go through life doing things badly. Racing’s important to men who do it well. When you’re racing, it... it’s life. Anything that happens before or after... is just waiting.
- Michael Delaney (Steve McQueen's character in 'Le Mans', 1971)

Thursday, November 13, 2014

This gave me some pause. Some of these things I can, by a lot of frankly disingenuous mental gymnastics, relate to, with my current 'situation'. A lot of these 'what is and what should never be' thoughts flit about in my thoughtbox. I have had my share of physical issues, with the minor September accident, and the aches and pains in general over the last 8 months or so - and I have been a little morose on account of my left wrist still not fully functional (due to said accident) and a hurting right shoulder blade. Reading and reflecting on this article is purely coincidental.

Kubica says:

“Last year, there was a plan for me to do a test in an F1 car and I was pretty comfortable that I could do it. But my question was ‘What’s next?’“The next is not possible for me because of my limitations. So I didn't do it because I wanted to protect myself. There was too much risk that I would enjoy it and then... well, it would be like taking a knife and stabbing myself in the chest with it.“Do I think about F1? Yes and no. You have to live for what is next, not from memories. I could go to F1 races and have more contact with friends and people I knew in F1. But I decided to avoid it.“Not because I am not friendly but because it reminds me. I am honest. Watching an F1 race is not easy. For the first two years after my accident, I was concentrating on my recovery and it was easier for me to watch then.“Now it is a bit more difficult. Not because I see Lewis and Nico fighting for the championship and I think I know them from a very young age, we were racing every season since 98, but just because I miss driving with them.“I’d be okay if I never drive an F1 car again competitively. I would be better if I could but I know time is running against me."

Thursday, October 16, 2014

'You know, hard timesJust an old friend, just an old friend to meI say hard timesJust an old friend, just an old friend to meTell me now, old friend, when you gonna let me be?Tell me now, old friend, when you gonna let me be?Tell me now, old friend, when you gonna let this poor man be?'

Saturday, November 9, 2013

As I don't have very much to do these days, I'll be doing this on this sad platform henceforth:

There's going to be a drink recommendation to go with the song suggestion that I put up on a daily weekly basis. So you should play that song and try to imbibe the drink I suggest. Simultaneously. Well, not really. You should do something productive with your time, but till then, this should keep you on the level.

You can guess the band whose music was the catalyst for this (good) timepass idea.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

There's a song on the lips of everybody, There's a smile all around the room, There's conversation overflowing, But I sit here with the blues.This hotel bar has lost all its people, The piano man has caught the last bus home, The old bartender just collapsed in the corner, Why I'm still here, I just don't know, I don't know.And this third sem song comes flooding back.Thank you Guitarist magazine, issue 254, May 2012. And you too, Rory.

Friday, November 23, 2012

“He was my childhood hero – I mean maybe he can close his ears now – but he was a true inspiration back then for me and other kids, as he mentioned, in Kerpen. He was our hero and obviously we had the honour to meet him.“He was taking care of the championship held in Kerpen and came to the last race, gave all the trophies to everyone, every child. More than a hundred at a time so he was very patient. Now obviously I understand that the busy schedule he had, taking that extra time for the fans but especially for us, for the kids racing, was something very special, a very special memory.

“When I met him the first time obviously I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t want to ask something stupid but for sure I remember these moments and then later on and today I think it’s a little bit different became you are more grown up and have a normal relationship.

“So when I talk to him now it doesn’t feel like talking to my childhood hero it feels like talking to Michael so I see the person rather than what he has achieved. But obviously you remind yourself that and the fact that I was racing against him the last couple of years, unfortunately not as close as probably he shared with Fernando.

“Still that thought or that image was very far away when I was a small kid because he was already in Formula One but for me it was a dream, so very far away. But a very special last couple of years, very special I think the relationship we share and I think he will always be an inspiration for myself.”